RAF medic claims he was racially abused

Military investigators tried to cover up complaints that an Asian RAF medic was racially abused and assaulted by senior colleagues, a tribunal heard yesterday.

The British-born medic has claimed he was called a "Paki" and "terrorist", was grabbed around the throat and threatened with a beating. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place while the man, referred to as "AB", was serving in a specialist unit in Afghanistan in 2007.

He has also claimed his allegations were not dealt with adequately by the military, and has returned to the UK. His lawyer, Jude Bunting, told an employment tribunal in central London that members of the Army's Special Investigation Branch had purposely dragged their feet when dealing with the complaints. Captain Gary Ward, who worked on the AB investigation, said the allegations were "absolutely ridiculous". The hearing continues.